Ashley Sparks is owner of Rejuvenate Wellness Center (opened in 2012) and RaQStar Dance & Fitness.
She first moved to Kirksville to attend Truman State and become an art teacher, however during college she was introduced to the joys of massage therapy and noticed the benefits it had for herself as a dancer. She wanted to learn more and share these great benefits with others, so two weeks after earning her BA-liberal arts, she headed to Kansas City for massage school!
Ashley attended a 1200hr program at Heritage college where she received her Associates in Therapeutic Massage. This program included many different massage therapy modalities but Ashley continuously exceeds the requirements for continuing education (because it's fun to learn!) including over 100hrs focusing on Traditional Thai massage and Thai reflexology.
Why I do what I do:
Opening up a business in Kirksville was not something I ever expected that I would do, but I found my true calling here! My goal as a business owner and as someone who practices multiple healing modalities (and not just massage therapy- I truly believe that dance is also a wonderfully healing artform!) is to help open the minds of our community and shine the light on new opportunities to grow, heal, and calm their minds and bodies.
I am always learning new healing modalities and techniques, not for the purpose of offering a wide array of services (although that tends to happen by default), but so that when a client comes to me with a problem, I am confident that myself and my coworkers can work with them to find what THEIR body connects with and responds to best, and what their mind and body is ready for at that moment in time.
My personal hope is that over time, my clients will learn to truly listen to their bodies and that they will feel whole and connected on a deep level. Bodywork effects so much more than the physical- It plays an important role in the healing of the mind and consciousness as well. Of course we all love to celebrate birthdays with a nice spa service- that can certainly be a fun time (and is beneficial in many ways)- but what we do can offer so much more than a "simple day of relaxation" when the time is right and you are open to receiving what your body truly wants and needs to heal. This is why TRUST in your massage therapist (or any wellness practitioner) is incredibly important. I try my best to be authentic and open with my clients, and to offer many opportunities and experiences to help guide them down their own personal path to wellness.
Main Educational Background:
BA in Liberal Arts / Painting (Truman State University)
AOS in Therapeutic Massage (1200hr program: Heritage College, 2010)
Professional Memberships:
Licensed Massage Therapist (State of Missouri)
Professional Member of American Massage Therapy Organization (AMTA)
(Formerly NCBTMB Certified, chose not to renew)
Massage Therapy Continuing education experience:
Traditional Thai Massage
Mostly through the Thai Institute of Healing Arts
Intro to Thai Massage (16hrs)
Thai Community Gathering (24hrs?)
Thai Foot Reflexology (24hrs)
Thai Massage Level 1: Beginner (40hrs)
Thai Massage Level 2: Intermediate (40hrs)
Thai Massage Level 3: Advanced Thai Medical Theory (40hrs)
Thai Herbal Massage & Medicine (16hrs)
Abdominal Focused CEUs
Part 1 (Video anatomy portion) Visceral Manipulation 1 (6hrs, Barral Institute)
SOON: Part 2 (in person) of the Visceral Manipulation class is in Chicago in April 2022!
Certified Fertility Massage Therapist (16hrs, Institute of Somatic Therapy)
In process: Free the Belly / Womb Care Massage courses (8hrs with Barbara Loomis/Nurturance)
Sound Healing & Energy work
Attuned Reiki Master
Level 1 Sonic (sound) Massage (21hrs, Center of Sound)
Level 2 Sonic (sound) Massage (21hrs, Center of Sound)
Bliss & Balance: Vibrational Sound / Relaxation Facial training (16hrs, Center of Sound)
As well as personal studies on reiki, Chios, Sen line theory, and energy work in general
Other CEUs (Both in person and Virtual)
Psychology of the Body (12hrs, Integrative Healthcare)
An Evidenced Based Guide to Treatment of Fibromyalgia for Massage Therapists (2hrs, AMTA)
Grow Your Practice: Teach Wellness Classes (3hrs, AMTA)
In progress (virtual): 9 Step Protocol for Low Back Pain, Repetitive Stress Injuries,
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (all through the Lyons Institute)
Dance/Fitness:
Middle Eastern Bellydance (18+ years, Teaching since 2006)
Certified Raq the Barre Instructor (Certified in 2017 with Raqisa®)
Many years of experience with Latin dance, swing, and other partner dances
Clogging (17+ years, not recently though sadly)
Currently working on a 65hr Mat Pilates certification
Choreographer & Director of RaQs Fusion Bellydance (Performance troupe)
1st Place Rising Star @ Heart of America Bellydance 2017 (solo)
2nd Place Troupe @ Heart of America Bellydance Competition 2017 (RaQs Fusion)
3rd Place Troupe @ Heart of America Bellydance Competition 2016 (RaQs Fusion)
Hometown:
Freeburg, Illinois / O'Fallon, MO
(but I've been in Kirksville since 2005)
Favorite type of massage:
I don't have a true favorite type of service to give. I think my favorite thing is finding a good combination of all that I can offer- so Thai/Table combos are often something I enjoy, or abdominal work because it has such instant gratification alot of the time. I also REALLY love to do sound and energywork for people dealing with alot of anxiety and emotional stress. Helping to find a deeper energetic mind-body connection is not something clients often directly ask for, but it is something that most people truly need.
Favorite Day of the Week:
Every other Thursday, because that's when I get to have a massage!
Favorite Part of the Body:
Glutes. They work hard!
Favorite Essential Oil:
Depends on my mood! I love Simply Earth's "Downtime" blend or to mix ginger + spearmint or lavender + eucalyptus, but I think my favorite is a blend called "Sunshine Spice" by Edens Garden. It is spicy and citrusy!
What are you doing when not at work?
Continuing Education classes have become a fun hobby of mine, to be honest. As for non-work related things: Cooking, social dancing, relaxing on my back deck in the sunshine, gardening (im not great at it, though!), Having dinner with friends, watching thunderstorms from a dangerously close distance, artsy things, hanging out with my kids, eating a lot of watermelon
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
Too many things! Artist/Art Teacher, Dancer, Fashion Designer, Parapsychologist/Ghost Hunter, Primatologist (to work with Orangutans!), Egyptologist, Storm Chaser
Why do you love being a massage therapist?
It is seriously the best job in the universe. Everyone I work with at Rejuvenate is amazing and I think massage therapy is one of the few jobs where everyone who walks in the door is truly happy to be there! You can do SO much with it and meld all of your knowledge together to find the perfect blend for each client. Massage therapy is one of those skills that just keeps building on itself with seemingly endless opportunities to learn more and to grow- both as a person and as a practitioner. Facilitating the healing of others is a really rewarding career path that has truly given me a feeling of purpose in this lifetime.
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